University of Southern Mississippi graduate student Leanne Poussard has been chosen
to work on marine policy in Washington D.C. this fall as the recipient of a 2020 Sea
Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship.

Poussard has spent the past year conducting research at USM’s Gulf Coast Research
Laboratory as part of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium. She will join
69 other fellowship finalists from across the country to interview with potential
host agencies and offices in the legislative and executive branches of government.

The interviews will determine where the finalists will be placed during their fellowship
year, which begins in February, 2020. As Sea Grant Knauss Fellows, they will actively transfer science to policy and management through their appointments
with federal government offices.

While working on her master's degree, Poussard is using mathematical modeling to measure
efficiency of National Marine Fisheries Service shellfish survey gear.

“I’m really excited to work as a Sea Grant Knauss Fellow. It’s an incredible opportunity
to work at the interface of marine science and policy,” said Poussard. “I am glad
to contribute to NOAA’s mission to protect and increase our knowledge and understanding
of the ocean, atmosphere, and coastal environments around the world.”

Poussard, a native of Fairfax, Va., earned her bachelor's degree in biology from the
University of Virginia.

Since 1979, the National Sea Grant College Program has provided Knauss Fellowships
to more than 1,300 early-career professionals. There are 69 finalists in the 2020 class. They will become the 41st class of the fellowship.

Knauss finalists are selected through a competitive process that includes several
rounds of review at both the state Sea Grant program and national levels. Students
finishing master's, Juris Doctor (J.D.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs
with a focus and/or interest in marine science, policy or management apply through
a Sea Grant program. If applicants are successful at the state program level, a national
panel of experts reviews their applications.